Fishing and fun in central Arkansas this weekend

March 28, 2018

Randy Zellers

Assistant Chief of Communications

PINE BLUFF – Join the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Family and Community Fishing Program for a day filled with outdoor excitement for all ages at Martin Luther King Jr. Park from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. this Saturday.

The pond will be stocked with catchable-size catfish that are ready to bite, but this is much more than just a fishing derby. This Family Fun Day event will feature a variety of activities to introduce people to the outdoors.

“We are hosting these events around the state to highlight some healthy and active offerings for families to do outdoors,” Maurice Jackson, Family and Community Fishing Program coordinator, said. “People can try their hand at archery, shoot a bb gun and learn to paddle a canoe while they’re enjoying a day out with the family.”

Unlike many fishing derbies focused solely on the kids, this day is for everyone to learn the fun of fishing. Anyone 16 and older may participate as long as they have a valid fishing license, and everyone is encouraged to take their catch home to enjoy a healthy fish dinner afterward.

“We’ll have fish cleaning, cooking and tasting demonstrations with an emphasis on healthy ways of preparing fish to eat,” Jackson said. “Recipes on how to prepare fish will be provided by Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts. We’ll also have a wild game-tasting station highlighting health benefits of properly prepared game.”

Door prizes will be given out during the event, and everyone who registers will be entered into a drawing for a chance at an outdoor adventure.

“We have a couple of options to choose from a guided fishing trip to an overnight stay at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation Education Center in Columbus complete with trap shooting and fishing for big Florida-strain largemouth,” Jackson said. “Families who attend the event can enter, and we’ll draw for winners once all of our Family Fun Day events are complete across the state.”

Visit http://gofish.agfc.com to register for this event. Find out more about the Family and Community Fishing Program and ponds around the state that are stocked with catchable catfish at www.agfc.com/familyfishing.